When he could stay on the field Odell Thurman was very good. However, the off the field issues are enough to make me shy away from him. I feel like he deserves another shot, but with a rookie head coach and IMO a lot of uncertainty on this team adding a potential headache is not the way to go.

Surely, you're not even remotely serious about picking up this sh*thead, are you? Not even for the minimum. No way. This guy is a repeated douche and was let go by the frickin' Bengals, who collect douchbags. Hello!?

And don't believe the hype that he was let go because he wanted to go to his G'ma's funeral. No one fires someone because they went to the funeral. You know damn well that he pissed the Bengals off some other way that may or may not have been related.

And don't believe the hype that he was let go because he wanted to go to his G'ma's funeral. No one fires someone because they went to the funeral. You know damn well that he pissed the Bengals off some other way that may or may not have been related.

Troy Williamson lost a game check and is no longer a member of the Minnesota Vikings for pretty much that reason

Troy Williamson lost a game check and is no longer a member of the Minnesota Vikings for pretty much that reason

I'm 100% sure there were either extenuating circumstances or they were just looking for the final straw to a laundry list of problems. Either way, going to a funeral as a standalone event will NEVER get you fired. Now if you notify your boss (GM/Coach) and get authorization to go (Odell did this and received authorization) then it shouldn't be a problem. If you are told to be back afterwards and you tell the team to F*ck off, then you can get fired. I'm not saying that's what happened here, but Odell was told to return after the funeral and then he decided on his own to take a few more days. If this is a standout character guy like .... (I'm having trouble with an example using NFL players... sorry) - then they're probably just given a warning. When you're on your last chance already, it doesn't take much.

He was suspended for substance abuse violations, which in my mind makes him different from the TO/Ocho types who are bad locker room guys. IF he can stay clean, he's a talented player (or at least was a talented player). Maybe he's gotten fat too & that added to their decision.

As for the funeral leave, I can see how such a situation could get touchy from either side. Keep in mind that w/his past it might've been perfect timing for Lewis et al to cut him loose & send a message to the rest of the team before camp even starts.

I say look into signing him, if he's a decent guy w/a drug problem then evaluate whether he seems ready to stay straight. I wouldn't mind seeing him in b&g as a backup to London.

I know he missed a drug test causing an automatic 4 games suspension, then he got in a fight -- what else has he done?

From Wikipedia, which everyone knows is 100% accurate:

Odell Thurman was suspended by the National Football League for the first four games of the 2006 regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to sources, Thurman either tested positive for the drug test or failed to take the test. [2], [3]

Gerard said there were two other Bengals players in the car with Thurman, but he did not name them. The car belonged to "another Bengal," not Thurman, Gerard said. [4]

On September 27, 2006, the NFL extended Thurman's suspension for the remainder of the season as a result of the arrest. [5] Thurman's locker was emptied by the Bengals organization. Coach Marvin Lewis said he didn't want to see Odell Thurman anywhere near the stadium, and he then deactivated Chris Henry for the next game for being part of the incident. Lewis has since stated that he doesn't expect Thurman to play for the Bengals in 2007.[citation needed]

On February 21, 2007, Thurman pleaded no contest to the driving drunk charge and said he was undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse.[6]

On May 15th, 2007, Bengals' head coach Marvin Lewis told ESPN that Thurman would have the chance to return to the team, if reinstated by the NFL. Thurman will be eligible for reinstatement on July 11, 2007. It was suspected that the organization would cut Thurman from the roster, but Lewis said otherwise. [7]

On June 5th, however, ESPN reported that he was allegedly wanted for assault in Georgia along with kicking and hitting two men. As it turns out, Thurman and his brother were sought for questioning in connection with said assault. The sherriff involved in the case said that the incident was not quickly reported and that a magistrate would choose whether or not to continue with the charges on June 8th 2007. Conflicting reports from witnesses at the party where the assault allegedly occurred however may make prosecution of this case difficult. [8]

On June 8th, 2007, papers seeking to dismiss the charges stated above were filed, and charges against the linebacker were summarily dropped. Chrissy Pitts, deputy clerk of Magistrate Court in Jasper County, said "It was settled, we aren’t aware of any terms that were involved in the settlement. That was between the attorneys and the parties.” [9]

On July 1st, 2007, Thurman was arrested for cocaine possesion charges while busted for having intercourse will a llama, which is currently illegal in the state of Ohio, but not its neighbor state West Virginia.

(OK, I added that last one to see if you were actually reading this...) ADE

On July 25th, 2007, Thurman's request for re-instatement into the NFL was denied by commissioner Roger Goodell, meaning that he will not be able to play in 2007[10]. Thurman is not currently listed on the Bengals' active roster, and another Bengals player, fellow linebacker Corey Mays, currently wears his number.

The dude has been out of football for two years. This isn't the type of sport where you can be away from it for two years, then all of a sudden come back and play at the same level you were when you left. Plus all the baggage. Let Dallas or Oakland pick him up.

The dude has been out of football for two years. This isn't the type of sport where you can be away from it for two years, then all of a sudden come back and play at the same level you were when you left. Plus all the baggage. Let Dallas or Oakland pick him up.

At his age if he's kept his weight in check & lifted to keep his muscle tone & overall strength close to what it was before, then he can get back into it w/some time IMO. He's not going to be an all pro in week 1, but if the skins sign him he's not going to start anyway.

I think the only way they'd sign him is if the staff feels he or Blades is a good fit at olb. Fletcher is the starter at MLB, Blades I presume the 2nd stringer at this point.

At his age if he's kept his weight in check & lifted to keep his muscle tone & overall strength close to what it was before, then he can get back into it w/some time IMO. He's not going to be an all pro in week 1, but if the skins sign him he's not going to start anyway.

I think the only way they'd sign him is if the staff feels he or Blades is a good fit at olb. Fletcher is the starter at MLB, Blades I presume the 2nd stringer at this point.

Well if we judge him by his past, I highly doubt this guy's been working out like a madman the last two years. We're just fine with Blades backing up Fletcher.